Pune: Hinjawadi–Wakad Sees 36 Deaths in 11 Months Amid Rising Traffic Chaos
Hinjawadi, 19th November 2025: Excessive traffic volume, narrow and damaged roads, inadequate infrastructure, and the movement of heavy vehicles during restricted hours have all contributed to a spike in accidents in the Rajiv Gandhi IT Park area of Hinjawadi, police have said.
In the past 11 months, 36 people have lost their lives in accidents in the Hinjawadi–Wakad region.
A total of 59,196 heavy vehicle drivers violating the entry ban have been booked for various offences, resulting in penalties amounting to ₹6,67,60,500. To curb the rising number of accidents, police will soon issue notices to Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plant operators and construction contractors, directing them to prevent heavy vehicles from entering during prohibited hours.
Hinjawadi’s Rajiv Gandhi IT Park is among the largest IT hubs in the state, employing over 1,30,000 people. This leads to the daily movement of nearly 3 to 4 lakh commuters. With the rapidly growing residential population in Hinjawadi, Wakad, Ravet, Punawale, and Tathawade, the number of vehicles on the roads has steadily increased, even as the roads remain narrow and poorly maintained.
Large housing projects are underway, and the number of RMC plants supplying construction material has also grown. Heavy transport vehicles carrying construction materials have further added to congestion. The area lacks adequate parking facilities, forcing roadside parking.
Immediate filling of potholes and clearing of debris left behind from Metro construction work is essential, said Senior Traffic Police Inspector Rahul Sonawane of the Hinjawadi Traffic Division.
Due to rising congestion, all heavy vehicles are banned from entering the city between 8 am and 12 noon, and between 4 pm and 9 pm. However, many continue to violate the rule. In the Hinjawadi area alone, 53,218 heavy vehicle drivers entered the restricted zone during prohibited hours, leading to cases being registered for traffic obstruction and negligent driving. Fines totalling ₹5,94,53,650 have been collected from these violators, Sonawane added.
